A group that wants to preserve the historic Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was awarded a property-tax break from the city, reported the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
The money saved will be used to help restore and maintain the Route 66 landmark, the group said.
The group hopes to turn the site into a tourist destination for Route 66 fans and travelers from all over the world, said Anthony Gonzales, president of Route 66 IECA, the nonprofit group that now owns the property.
Gonzales said the agreement will reduce property taxes for the group by about 30 percent. […]
The property-tax reduction was made possible through the Mills Act, which is a state economic incentive program that helps restore and preserve historic buildings by private owners.
The city and the property owner will have a contract for a minimum of 10 years. Property owners agree to restore, maintain and protect the property in accordance with specific historic-preservation standards and conditions identified in the contract, according to the state Office of Historic Preservation.
The group seeks to restore the station by 2015, which would be its centennial. The station operated until the 1970s. The City Council awarded historic landmark status to Cucamonga Service Station in 2009.
When Route 66 IECA bought the property earlier this year, it was being used as a storage yard for an outdoor sign company.
(Image of the Cucamonga Service Station from 2010 by Pete Zarria, via Flickr)
Great post. Thanks for keeping everyone informed!